Devin Bahr (West Salem/Bangor) – Devin takes the top spot on the list despite having not competed in 2015. He won State as a freshman and looked poised to win his second, especially after defeating a very tough Cole Martin early in the season. Unfortunately Bahr would tear his ACL at Bi-State and has not competed since. To this point Devin Bahr has won everything there is to win and we don’t see any reason he won’t continue his winning ways when he returns.

Jacob Raschka (Pewaukee) – Raschka is another wrestler who has yet to make it to the top of the WIAA podium securing 5th and 4th place finishes his first two trips. What separates Raschka from the pack is his recent success on the national scene. Raschka shocked everyone this summer when he turned the tables on two people who had previously defeated him as he won the USAW Cadet National title. Raschka recently validated that with a win in the 11th-12th grade 195 lb division at Preseason Nationals.

Jaden Van Maanen (La Crosse Central) – Another product of the LAW system makes his way high up the junior posting. Van Maanen has yet to reach the top step of the WIAA podium after finishing 3rd as a freshman and losing a razor close decision in the finals to Nathan Smith to take 2nd as a sophomore. Jaden will definitely look to add a State title to his impressive resume this year which already includes multiple all American finishes at national USAW tournaments.

Brock Bergelin (Denmark) – Bergelin won a State title as a sophomore losing just one match, which came at the hands of the 2 sophomore on this list, Jeremy Schoenherr. What separates Bergelin from those below is the litany of FS and GR tournaments he won last off season. It would fill the entire page to name them all, but here is a taste; FS/GR State, Central Cadet Regional, Dominate the Dells and he capped the season with a 3rd place finish at the USAW Greco Nationals. Bergelin can not only compete with the best on the state level, he can do it on the national level as well.

Mason Kauffman (Stratford) – Another in the long line of really tough Stratford lightweights. Kaufmann missed his freshman year due to an injury, but finished his sophomore campaign undefeated and breezed through a very tough WIAA State bracket which included returning State Champion Kai Gerber and 8 Cal Hansen. Kauffman still hasn’t broken through with National level success which would move him higher on this list.

Jaden Winchel (Sparta) – Jaden is the third Spartan on the list following 2 frosh Bailey and 9 soph Krein. Winchel works his way in after a strong undefeated WIAA campaign as a sophomore. Winchel finished 3rd as a freshman and has had strong performances at Dominate the Dells and Preseason Nationals. Winchel hasn’t really tested his mettle extensively on the FS/GR circuit, which keeps him from moving higher in these rankings.

Kamren Bornbach (Stratford) – Bornbach is one of the outliers on the Stratford team as a ‘big’ guy who can wrestle! Kamren captured a State title as a sophomore after finishing 5th as a freshman, something remarkably tough to do at an upper weight. Bornbach still has yet to test the waters nationally. It will be very intriguing to see how fares.

Cal Hansen (Deerfield) – Hansen arrives at 8 on this list with a mix of State and Nationals success. In his high school campaigns at Madison Cal has compiled two podium finishes (5th/3rd), meanwhile he has had successful spring and summer runs as well. Last summer alone he placed at USAW Folkstyle Nationals, won the Central Cadet Regional, and won both FS and GR State. A top of the podium finish in Madison this year would bump Hansen up a few places.

Micah Johnson (Boyceville) – Johnson blazed through his freshman year to an undefeated State title at 132lbs. The next year was more challenging and his sophomore season he finished third at State with 3 losses. Not exactly what you would call a poor finish, but definitely a let down from what he did as a freshman. It will be interesting to see if Johnson recaptures the magic he had freshman year.

Jose Acosta (Manitowoc) – Although Acosta has not placed at the WIAA State meet at this point he makes the list based on FS/GR accomplishments. Jose has enjoyed a phenomenal amount of Freestyle and Greco success placing at USAW Cadet Nationals (twice), UWW Cadet Nationals and winning both FS and GR State among other events. Look for Acosta to have a breakout season.